Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center is offering free dental care for kids this Friday, Feb. 2 as part of the nationwide American Dental Association Foundation’s Give-Kids-A-Smile event.

Evaluations and treatments are given on a first-come-first-serve basis, but all children will at least be screened for a future appointment.

“I’m going to do whatever I need to do based on the needs of the child,” said Good Sam’s Dental Director Dr. James Talbot. “That could be cleanings, fillings, we will assess the situation. All children will be screened though.”

Dr. Talbot, who recently joined the Good Sam team after leading a successful practice in Ellijay for over 20 years, has participated in the Give-Kids-A-Smile event numerous times in the past and spearheaded bringing the event to Pickens County.

“I’d like to see more children come into Good Sam,” he said. “Right now, only about one percent of our patients are children. I’d like to see that number go up to 50 percent in six months.”

The event has been advertised through flyers sent to students in the Pickens County school system. Give-Kids-A-Smile is the kickoff for the entire month of February, which is National Children’s Dental Health month, sponsored by the ADA. The Pickens Schools’ Director of Health Services Kimberly Parker said Good Sam has been promoting oral health in a variety of ways, including goody bags for students. See an article by Parker regarding oral health on page 5A.

Free services will be provided for children from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center on 175 Samaritan Drive, Jasper, Ga. 30143. Contact Myrna Denson at 706-253-4673 ext.285 for more information.

Good Sam is a not-for-profit health and wellness center that provides medical care to the underserved in Pickens County.